Cheeseburger Restaurant Smalls Sliders Is Opening in Austin | Eater Austin

"I'm excited that a fast-casual chain known for its cheeseburger sliders is coming to Austin: Smalls Sliders plans at least five locations in the northern part of the city, with the first opening sometime in early 2025, and the company is also looking to open another spot in South Austin. Their simple menu centers on beef patty–based cheeseburger sliders (with options to add a second patty, extra cheese, bacon, pickles, and sauce), plus a small grilled cheese, signature sauces — Smauce (a mayonnaise-based sauce) and a queso — waffle fries, and milkshakes in vanilla, chocolate, and cookies-and-cream. The Louisiana-based company started in 2019 by founder Brandon Landry and counts former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees as a financial backer; local expansion in Austin is being led by franchisee Jonny Rodgers, who is also a partner agent of real estate agency Den Property Group. Smalls already has locations throughout Louisiana and one in Mississippi and is pursuing aggressive Southern growth (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, more in Louisiana and Mississippi), with broader Texas plans that include New Braunfels, Tyler, Houston, the Dallas–Fort Worth area, and Lubbock as the brand targets a total of 50 locations. The restaurants themselves are small and use a “can design” made of recycled materials for a shipping-container–like structure." - Nadia Chaudhury